Gardener - Ornamental Gardens

Ornamental Gardener £28,500-£29,500 per annum plus bonus and fantastic benefits. Average 40 hours per week across 5 days (07:30–16:30 April–September / 08:00–16:00 October–March). Rotational weekends required. A driving license is required for this role. Advert closes: 6th July 2026.

Cultivate beauty. Inspire visitors. Shape a garden for every season.

As an Ornamental Gardener within our Four Seasons Garden, you will play a vital role in maintaining and developing one of The Newt’s most captivating horticultural spaces. Working to exemplary standards, you will ensure outstanding plant health, immaculate presentation, and visitor readiness across your assigned areas. This is a hands-on role for a passionate horticulturist who thrives outdoors and takes pride in creating inspiring landscapes. Beyond plant care, you will help bring the garden to life for our visitors — sharing stories, leading tours, supporting workshops, and championing The Newt as a leading garden destination.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the cultivation, maintenance and conservation of the Four Seasons Garden and Farmyard.
• Support new planting programmes, landscaping schemes and seasonal displays.
• Implement maintenance plans and pest and disease control measures.
• Maintain exceptional horticultural standards across all areas.
• Contribute to educational programmes, talks, tours and demonstrations.
• Engage confidently with visitors, promoting the vision and heritage of The Newt.
• Support estate-wide projects where horticultural expertise is required.
• Ensure safe use and care of machinery, tools and chemicals in line with H&S procedures.

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
• Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.

What we’re looking for

• Previous horticultural experience in a comparable environment.
• Strong plant knowledge and understanding of modern gardening techniques.
• Competent in the use of garden machinery and hand tools.
• Physically capable and comfortable working outdoors year-round.
• High attention to detail and commitment to exceptional standards.
• Clear, confident communication skills with a visitor-focused approach.
• Well organised with strong time management skills.
• Full UK Driving License.

Where you’ll be working

The Four Seasons Garden is one of our newest gardens, opened over two years ago. It celebrates each of the individual seasons as visitors immerse themselves through spring, summer, autumn and winter in sequence. It’s a true plantsman’s garden, showcasing a diverse range of plants maintained to a high horticultural standard. The team works with climbers, topiary, trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and annuals. The garden is located next to the Farmyard Hotel and caters extensively to hotel guests as well as our regular members.

Who are we – The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams – from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming – collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.